Retailers

Tom Walsh from the Detroit Free Press: At Saturn of Warren, general sales manager Kevin Bilski said people were stunned in December when GM said it would sell or discard Saturn. "It was like being told your parents don't love you anymore," he said. But folks perked up a few months later when Roger Penske expressed interest in Saturn. Penske hasn't closed the purchase deal with GM yet or gone public with his plan for the brand's future, "but just that name Penske brings a lot of positive press," Bilski said. "GM never knew what to do with Saturn. We were the redheaded stepchild," said Carl Galeana, 57, vice president of the Galeana Auto Group that his father, Frank, founded in 1974.

Steve Finlay from Ward's Dealer Business: The GM-Penske deal that saves Saturn is considered good news for an industry seeing too much unpleasantness lately, from vehicle sales in a free fall to auto makers in bankruptcy. But few people realize the full implication of the reprieve. One who does is Jack Nerad, Kelly Blue Book's executive market analyst and editorial director.

Robert Snell from the Detroit News: Saturn dealers nationwide have received new sales and service agreements from Roger Penske, a sign the auto icon is close to finalizing a deal for the castoff General Motors brand. The two-year agreements, which are subject to completion of a deal for Saturn, were sent to about 340 U.S. dealers, who had until September 11th to sign and return them. The agreements have one-year automatic renewals if dealers meet certain conditions.

Saturn of Raleigh and Saturn of Cary recently posted an audio podcast featuring commentary from Bill Shotwell, executive general manager and vice president of the North Carolina Triangle area Saturn retail facilities. Shotwell discusses Penske Automotive Group's pending purchase of Saturn from General Motors.

From the Balancing Act: If shopping for a vehicle strikes fear in your heart, we've got a story that puts you in the drivers seat! This segment focuses on one brand that takes customer service and the retail experience to the next level. Kim McGill, Director of Advertising and Promotions at Saturn, talks about the Saturn retail experience.

General Motors has recently announced that the purchase of the Saturn brand by the Penske Auto Group will not include the Saturn Retailers in Canada. What does this mean to you, our valued Leggat Saturn Saab customers? We want you to know we have made the decision to remain open at our current location at 814 Guelph Line after the announced Saturn end date in Canada of December 31, 2009, so that we can fully look after your servicing requirements.

Kelly Pedro from Canada's London Free Press: Saturn's future in Canada may be uncertain, but it's business as usual at the Saturn Saab Isuzu of London dealership. Penske Automotive Group bought the Saturn brand from General Motors and has decided not to sell the vehicles in Canada. GM is building the Vue, Aura and Outlook for Penske until 2011 - all mid-sized or sport-utility vehicles.

Michael Bettencourt from Globe and Mail: The Saturn brand's lack of a profitable small car and its pairing with another ailing brand in Saab in Canada helped prompt the decision to close all Canadian Saturn and Saab outlets in the next few months, according to the company that will keep the brand alive in the U.S.

Murray McNeill from the Winnipeg Free Press: Manitoba's only Saturn dealership will disappear by the end of the year as the restructuring of the North American auto sector continues. Birchwood Automotive Group president Steve Chipman said Wednesday that General Motors notified Birchwood's Saturn Saab of Pointe West dealership earlier this week that all 46 Canadian Saturn dealerships will cease operations on or before December 31.

Tim Petruk from Kamloops this Week via BCLocalNews.com: It's the end of one era for a long-time Kamloops auto dealership. Terry Lowe, president and dealer principal of Saturn of Kamloops announced Thursday the Valleyview dealership that has been selling Saturns for almost two decades would be changing brands after Roger Penske, the new owner of the Saturn brand, decided not to carry the cars north of the 49.

Random Article from the SaturnFans.com Archives

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that General Motors is recalling 42,408 model year 2008-09 Saturn Vues with faulty hydraulic power steering systems. Reuters reports that the vehicles impacted by the recall are equipped with equipped with V6 engines.